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Laurier Environmental Seminar Series

From flatfish to rotifers:†Integrating physiology, metal toxicity and chemistry in a marine environment

By: Dr. Chris Cooper

When: Friday October 14, 2011 at 3:30PM

Where: Science building room N1042

Abstract:

The common theme throughout this seminar is that seawater chemistry presents organisms with unique challenges, while paying particular attention to physiology and metal toxicology. In a marine environment, certain chemical reactions, whether in the cells of fish or in the water itself, can influence the organismís physiological homeostasis as well as its sensitivity to metals. To illustrate this, using a physiological approach I will first explain how marine teleost fish cope with drinking seawater to avoid dehydration. Secondly, I hope to convince you all that there is a need to better understand chemical speciation and subsequently the toxicity of various metals to aquatic organisms in a marine environment.